When asked how he ended up in cooking, Bon Appétit Chef/Manager Dick Thompson answers, “Life happened.” In just over three years, Dick has gone from supervisor at Melt to chef/manager of the entire TVUC, which has five concepts.

Since starting her fellowship with Bon Appétit, Fellow Caroline Ferguson has become more aware of animal agriculture’s impact on the environment. She speaks on choosing a semi-vegetarian or “flexitarian” diet, highlighting the Meatless Monday movement.

Erin Johnson and Ben Doherty, owners and operators of Open Hands Farm, welcomed a group of Bon Appétit team members and Carleton College students to the farm to share their story — one that is deeply entwined with Bon Appétit’s.

Back in 2009, Gallaudet students and Bon Appétiters transformed an abandoned volleyball court into 14 garden beds. Since then, Gallaudet’s garden has also gone through different management structures, all leading up to a major transformation this season.

Chef José Andrés and his nonprofit World Central Kitchen marshaled an army of chefs, volunteers, and food donations from all over Puerto Rico and the world. Together they made almost 2 million meals for victims of Hurricane Maria.